Chapter 332

Chapter 332: The Scent of a Man Song Shulan fell ill. Cui Lingrong learned of this from the physician who had been summoned to the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion. The physician said it was merely heat exhaustion and that he would likely recover in time. At first, Cui Lingrong didn't think much of it—until Xuan-ge came by and mentioned that his father had recovered only to fall ill again, his health having deteriorated considerably. "Father's health was on the verge of improving, but before long, he fell ill once more." Song Mingxuan expressed his concern. His father had treated him well enough. He wasn't hoping for his father's death. Because of his father's illness, his grandmother had been anxious day and night, and her own health was also failing. Cui Lingrong couldn't help but curl her lips into a faint smile. "Do you still remember when Jin-ge was poisoned?" "I do. At the time, we suspected Madam Zhao, but unfortunately there was no evidence." Song Mingxuan said. "Exactly. Because that poison was too rare—even if we knew what it was, we couldn't obtain it." Cui Lingrong said. "When I divorced your father, I warned him that Madam Zhao was vicious at heart and had murdered Elder Master Du." "What?" "You heard me correctly. Zhao Susu murdered her own husband. She could do it once, and she could certainly do it again. So I warned your father back then to be careful of her, but clearly, he never took my words seriously." Cui Lingrong let out a cold snort. "Although I don't know why Zhao Susu would make a move against your father, she must have done something she can't afford to be exposed." Song Mingxuan grew tense. "Then... wouldn't everyone in the marquis mansion be in great danger?" Cui Lingrong said that wouldn't be the case. "Zhao Susu doesn't have that kind of nerve. If she wiped out the entire Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, even the Emperor would find it suspicious. It must be that your father has harmed her interests—otherwise, she wouldn't have acted. Go back and tell your father that I've discovered Qiuju's death is also connected to Zhao Susu. If he wants to live, he'd better stay sharp." Song Mingxuan furrowed his brows tightly. "Since we know Zhao Susu is poisoning him, can't we just have her arrested?" "But do you know how Zhao Susu administered the poison? Do we have witnesses or physical evidence?" Cui Lingrong sighed. "I thought that when I was managing the household, no one could harm you all—and yet Zhao Susu still succeeded." Clearly, this poison was all too easy to administer successfully. Nanny Qiu said, "Xuan-ge, don't be anxious. Since we know who did it, just keep a close watch. This old servant will say one more thing—that Zhao Susu is nothing but a scourge. It would be better to get rid of her sooner rather than later. But she has the Rong Prince Mansion behind her. The Marquis has forgiven Zhao Susu time and again because of the Rong Prince Mansion. Now that his own life is at stake, please make the Marquis see reason." If Song Shulan died, Song Mingxuan would have to observe three years of mourning and would be unable to sit for the Imperial Examination. Song Yu would be in the same position—delayed by three years, he would be over twenty by then. Cui Lingrong hated Song Shulan, but she didn't want him to die at this time. A bit of suffering would suffice. Song Mingxuan understood. He returned to the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion and had his page request leave from the academy, then personally attended to his father in the main courtyard. "Mother said that your illness is because of Zhao Susu." Song Mingxuan said as he fed his father medicine. "Zhao Susu?" Song Shulan's heart immediately tightened. "Did she say that Zhao Susu murdered Elder Master Du and would harm me as well?" Song Mingxuan nodded. "Father, your illness keeps recurring, and no cause can be found. Mother also said that Qiuju was killed by Zhao Susu as well. Think about it—in the years since Zhao Susu married into the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, how many evil deeds has she done? Please wake up." Speaking of this, Song Mingxuan felt deeply helpless. His father, for the sake of promotion and wealth, would rather keep a venomous snake of a woman by his side. Song Shulan was stunned. "I... I have quarreled with her recently. Prince Rong's power is far weaker than before. Because of Xie Yunting's matter, the Emperor stripped Prince Rong of his actual authority. She wants me to help the Rong Prince Mansion—how could I possibly have that ability?" For that reason alone, Zhao Susu wanted to kill him? "The decline of the Rong Prince Mansion cannot be stopped. It's a good thing that Father can extricate himself in time." Song Mingxuan still hoped that the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion would sever ties with the Rong Prince Mansion. "Yes, that's what I said too. The Rong Prince Mansion should keep a low profile—how could this come to the point of taking my life?" Song Shulan couldn't understand it, was utterly baffled. "She and I knew each other since childhood. When we rekindled our relationship later, I was so happy. How could she..." "Father, you were too greedy." Song Mingxuan couldn't help but interrupt. If his father found himself in this situation today, he had only his own greed to blame. Song Shulan: "I... I did it all for the good of the marquis mansion!" Song Mingxuan didn't say anything too harsh, and returned to the topic of Zhao Susu. "In the coming days, I will eat and sleep alongside you, giving Zhao Susu no opportunity to strike. But you need to think clearly for yourself about how to deal with Zhao Susu." "What about you? You're my son—won't you help me?" "How do you expect me to help? Should I go to her Wutong Courtyard?" Song Mingxuan rose to his feet with great helplessness. "You planted this karma yourself—you'll have to figure out your own solution." The night grew deep. Song Mingxuan blew out the candle and slept on the outer side of the bed. Neither father nor son could find sleep. Early the next morning, Song Shulan felt slightly better. Dragging his ailing body, he got up and went to Wutong Courtyard. He had just entered the courtyard when he saw Wang Hechun's Wife hurrying out of the house. "Marquis, you... why have you come?" "Why can't I come?" "That's not what I meant, it's just that your health is poor. If you need anything, you could have summoned me." Wang Hechun's Wife thought to herself, the mistress hasn't gotten up yet—hopefully they'll be quick. Song Shulan gave a cold snort and, supported by Qingshan, entered the house. But Wang Hechun's Wife tried to delay them, walking ahead of the two. "Marquis, the mistress hasn't risen yet. Why not wait in the outer room?" "What, can't I watch her dress?" Song Shulan said irritably. Seeing Wang Hechun's Wife still standing at the door, he felt rather displeased. Thinking of what Xuan-ge had told him, he looked at the tightly shut door. "Bang." Something fell to the floor inside. Before Song Shulan could push the door open, Zhao Susu opened it first. "Marquis, why have you come?" "I came to take a stroll." Song Shulan noticed Zhao Susu's clothes were askew and thought to himself that she must have just woken up. He didn't say much, exchanged a few brief pleasantries, and left. Only after returning to his own room did Song Shulan begin to cough. "Qingshan, you..." "Marquis, have some water first to moisten your throat." Qingshan brought over a teacup. Song Shulan took a sip of warm water, reluctant and somewhat embarrassed to ask, "Did you smell it?" Qingshan lowered his head, not daring to speak. "You smelled it too, didn't you." Song Shulan hadn't thought much of it before, but because Xuan-ge had said Qiuju's death was also connected to Madam Zhao, he had observed more carefully this time. He had once been a healthy man himself—when a man and woman were intimate, certain distinctive scents always lingered. Zhao Susu was particularly fastidious; her room was fumigated with incense every day. Yet Song Shulan had detected the lingering odor of a man's presence. It wasn't that he wanted to overthink things. Rather, recent events left him no choice but to think more deeply. "Go find Qiuju's parents and make them tell the truth—how Qiuju really died. If they won't speak, find others. Someone is bound to have noticed something wrong." Qingshan took some silver and left. Meanwhile, at Wutong Courtyard, Wang Hechun's Wife suddenly felt a pang of unease. "Madam, the Marquis came by so suddenly today. Don't you find it strange?" "What's so strange about it? He and I are husband and wife. He's ill now and has nowhere to go, so he came to sit for a while." Zhao Susu was unconcerned. "Oh, just go. You worry about everything under the sun—I don't know what you're so afraid of." After dismissing Wang Hechun's Wife, Zhao Susu cuddled up to Du Cheng again. "Everyone's so troublesome. Do you really have to go see Mrs. He and the others?" "I need to give them some explanation, otherwise they'll keep threatening you." Du Cheng thought of Qiuju as he spoke. "I think I should stay outside for a while." "No, that won't do. Are you still angry with me? Do you think I shouldn't have kicked Qiuju into the well?" Zhao Susu looked into Du Cheng's eyes. Du Cheng said nothing. "I knew it—you're sulking with me. No wonder you haven't been so passionate these past few days. I don't care, you go and come right back today. I won't allow you to linger outside. I can't sleep without you." Zhao Susu wrapped her arms around Du Cheng. Du Cheng gave a helpless smile. "Fine, I'll do whatever you say." After coaxing Zhao Susu for a while, Du Cheng quietly slipped away with Wang Hechun's Wife. They took a secluded path where people rarely came. But even in broad daylight, Wang Hechun's Wife was anxious—if anyone saw them, she wouldn't be able to explain herself. In a place where they couldn't be seen, Concubine Zhang had been on her way to find someone to sell her recent needlework for her. Unexpectedly, she caught sight of the furtive Du Cheng and Wang Hechun's Wife. "Cheng-ge, why is he in the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion?" Concubine Zhang didn't know much about outside affairs, but a few days ago, the Du family had come demanding his return—the entire mansion knew about it. She never expected that Du Cheng was actually in the mansion, and together with Wang Hechun's Wife at that. The way they moved was clearly sneaky and secretive. Remembering the kindness the Eldest Young Madam had shown her in the past, she felt this matter might be useful to her. After some thought, when she entrusted someone to sell her needlework, she also had them deliver a letter to the Eldest Young Madam.